Improvement in spring attachments for fishing-rods



2 Sheets--Sheet 1. B. HILL.

Spring-Attachments for Fishing-Rods.

N0.\54,\4\. Patented Aug.18,1874.

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Spring-Attachments for Fishing-Rods.l

No.154,14\. y Patented Aug.11874.

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Attorneys UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.A

BENJAMIN HILL, OF SHARPSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPRING ATTACHMENTS FOR FISHlNG-RODS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,141, dated August 18, 1874; application filedl July 1e, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN HILL, of Sharpsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in J ointed Angling-Rods, of which the following is a specification:

I denominate my invention the lightning fish-catcher.77

The nature of my invention relates to a new and improved method of jointing and folding an an gling-rod, and also in a novel means for suddenly jerking or pulling the line without moving the rod, thereby setting the hook in the mouth of the fish, as will be more fully described hereinafter. It consists in attaching each joint or piece to the adjoining joint or piece by means of an elastic substance which will allow the parts to be separated far enough to unjoint them, after which `they may be folded together in a small compass, for carrying, Src. It also consists in a shaft, to which the line is attached, which shalt is operated by a spring, and acts, in connection with a spring-catch or trigger, at the will of the angler, as will be more fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, which form l a part of this specification, Figure lis a longitudinal section, showing my invention. Fig. 2 is a section, showing my arrangement of carrier, shaft, trigger, &c. Fig. 3 shows the rubber link in section. Fig. 4 shows the invention complete, and Fig. 5 shows the carryingwheel in two views.

Referring to the drawing, A represents a cylinder, which is adapted to beattached rigidly to the hand-piece of a rod, if joint-ed, or to the part of the rod nearest the operator, if not jointed. Arranged longitudinally inside the cylinder A is a spiral spring, B, or its equivalent. This spring is rmly attached to one end of the cylinder on the inside, and at the other end is attached to a carrier, D, which carries the shaft C, which passes through a suitable opening in the other end of the cylinder, and is adapted to have the line attached to it. The cylinder or case A is provided with alongitudinal slot, through which passes a section of the carrier D, on the end of which is a suitable knob, d, or other actuating device. On the side of the carrier D opposite to that on which the spiral spring is located is a shoulder, d', which is adapted to serve in connection with the spring-catch E. This springcatch is centered in any desired manner, and acts as a lever, being governed by the trigger F, which is situated external to the cylinder. Gis an elastic band or link, which connects the joints or sections together, but which allows them to be unjointed and folded up when required. H is a clamped bearing, which carries a rotating wheel, h, over which wheel the line passes.

The line, being passed over the wheel h and through the several eyelets, is carried down to the shaft C, to which it is fastened. When angling, the knob d being pressed outward throws the carrier in that direction until the shoulder d engages with the spring-catch E. The spiral springB acts in the opposite direc tion. It is now only necessary to watch the line until the bait is taken by the fish, when, by touching the trigger. the carrier is released, and the action of the spring suddenly and strongly retracts the shaft, which, operating the line, jerks the same so suddenly as to set the hook in the fish, and it may then be landed at leisure.

I do not confine myself to the exact construction and arrangement shown and herein described, as any other construction of spring, catch, trigger,` Src., I consider equivalent..

I claiml. The spring B and carrier D, constructed and adapted to serve relatively to the butt of the` rod, shaft C, and line, substantially as herein specified.

2. The attachment for fishing-rods, consisting of the carrier D, having shoulder d', in combination with the spring-catch E and trigger F, as shown and specified.

3. 'Ihe elastic link G, in combination with the sections of a jointed angling-rod, as shown and specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I herewith affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN HILL. 

